Wimbledon coach James Ogilvy-Bull believes Brighton played the conditions better than his side on Saturday as the Dons slipped to an 18-22 defeat in bad weather.

Tries from Neil Brown and Tommy Moore alongside eight kicked points from Neil Hallett gave Wimbledon an 18-17 half-time lead.

But conditions worsened in the second-half and Brighton battled back to get the deciding try, take the points and leave Wimbledon stranded in mid-table.

Ogilvy-Bull said: “The weather played a big factor in the game and Brighton just played the conditions better than we did in the second-half.

“It was so muddy out there we had to change our shirts at half-time because it looked like both teams were playing in brown kit.”

And, despite the loss, Ogilvy-Bull was still pleased with the way his team performed against third-placed Brighton.

He added: “We played quite well but the conditions were absolutely atrocious which was unfortunate for two teams that were looking to play fast an attractive rugby.

“They are obviously a very good team – you don’t get to be third in the league with being a good team.”

Weather permitting, Wimbledon head to Hove this weekend looking to do the double of the south coast side after beating them 20-12 earlier in the season.

Last year the Dons were the only team to prevent Hove from getting a point at home all season, winning 24-0, and Ogilvy-Bull is hoping to continue their good run there.

He said: “We beat them quite convincingly earlier this season and we are hoping for the same again.

“We are unsure whether the game will be played because of the weather but we hope it does and we hope to play as well as we did last year if it does go ahead.”